A large gallery from Davis’ home club at Barton Hills followed her throughout the round. Many members who were following live scoring in the semifinal matches on the GAM’s web site left work at lunch time to come to the course and support Davis during her match.

“I have come in second so many times,” said Davis. “To win on my home course and have the majority of members out watching and having so much support and to accomplish what I did -- I am feeling that I am on top of the world right now.”

Davis was 2 up for the majority of the match, but said having that cushion did not lessen her focus. Today was all about doing whatever it took to win.

“I really don’t think having the cushion of being 2 up was an advantage,” said Davis. “I just kept playing like I was 1 down the whole time. My stroke play this week was average. I had a different attitude in the last four matches. I played with very high intensity.”
Davis admitted the fact that she plays for the University of Michigan and McConnell plays for rival Michigan State helped fuel her competitive fire. Also, McConnell defeated Davis’ younger sister Katelin 6&4 in the first found of match play on Wednesday.

“The college rivalry came into it big time,” admitted Davis. “I almost wore all blue and gold today. But I figured the bag; the towel and head covers were enough. That is a mental edge for sure. Then the fact that she beat my sister in the first round was a mental edge. My sister is going to be a senior in high school and she has no experience, but just because (Mandi) beat my sister I had a little bit of a chip on my shoulder.”

Davis topped Christina Cibrario 5&4 in the semifinal. McConnell defeated former high school rival and friend Katie Strawser 3&2 to advance to the final round.

McConnell said that pain was a factor in her rounds again today. She did not feel that she played her best the last two days of the
event.

“I don’t want to make excuses, but I was in a lot of pain. It was the worst it has been,” said McConnell. “I was not playing good today or yesterday. It was not good golf. So to make it this far without playing what I feel is good golf, I do have a sense of accomplishment about that.”

For complete match tree results, click on the tournament link above.

ABOUT THE Michigan Women's Amateur

The Michigan Women's State Amateur is Michigan's
most prestigious women's amateur championship,
having been played over 100 times. The format is 36-
hole stroke play (Gross only), from which the low 32
advance to match play. Open to women amateurs with
handicaps under 15.4. Must be a GAM member.